Fuel injection nozzle assembly

ABSTRACT

An improved fuel injection nozzle assembly is provided which may be easily removed from an engine block for replacement and maintenance purposes. A protective spray tip cap is formed to receive the nozzle portion of the overall assembly and may be formed with an external flange sized to be larger than any standard nozzle bore hole of an engine block. A body portion of the overall assembly is similarly provided with an external flange which, upon assembly of the overall apparatus, is clamped against an engine block so that the external flange of the body portion and the outer surface of the engine block cooperate to impinge upon the external flange of the spray tip cap to secure the cap in an operational posture. In one independent feature of the invention, an adjustment nut is provided on the body portion of the assembly to vary the fuel pressure at which a valve portion of the assembly is actuated for the dispensing of fuel spray into a combustion chamber of the engine. The adjustment nut may be provided with a fluid passage fitting for removing any fuel passing through the assembly in a direction other than toward the combustion chamber. The nut may further be provided with a screwdriver receiving groove to facilitate the adjusting of the fuel pressure setting and the removal of the valve portion of the fuel injection nozzle assembly. In another independent feature of the invention, a fuel inlet fitting may be threadedly mounted on the body portion of the assembly which fitting is provided with wedge shaped grooves adjacent the connection of the body with the fitting. Annular wedge shaped gaskets may be disposed within the grooves, and the fitting may cooperate with a clamping means to transfer an impinging force to the exterior flange on the nozzle spray cap in response to a tightening of the fastening means of the overall clamping means. In another independent feature of the invention, the external flange portion of the spray cap may be formed with an annular groove for receiving an O-ring seal so that a more fluid-tight connection may be formed between the protective spray tip cap and the body portion of the overall assembly. In still another independent feature of the invention, the body may be radially split adjacent a spray tip end thereof. Through this arrangement, the valve portion of the assembly may be removed from either axial end of the body after splitting the body into its two components.

tates Unite Hedges atent 1 91 [76] Inventor: Harry 0. Hedges, PO. Box 141,

Marlton, NJ. 08053 [22] Filed: Dec. 10, 1970 [21] APPL 96,961 In one independent feature of the invention, an adjustment nut is provided on the body portion of the assembly to vary the fuel pressure at which a valve por- 3 123/32 JV tion of the assembly is actuated for the dispensing of.

Int. Cl- -fuel spray into a combustion chamber of the engine of Search 288.5, adjustment nut may be provided a 123/32 JV passage fitting for removing any fuel passing through the assembly in a direction other than toward the.

[56] References Cited combustion chamber. The nut may further be pro-' vided with a screwdriver receivin roove to facilitate UNITED STATES PATENTS the adjusting of the fuel pressfiri setting and the 3,159,350 12/1964 Mangold ..239/533 removal of the valve Portion of the fuel injection 3,451,626 6/1969 Roosa ..239/533 zle assembly- :gg: In another independent feature of the invention, a fuel 1 856 089 5/1932 Browritzz Iliad/288.5 x may be threadidly 2:445:269 7/1948 Hoffer ..239/533 x P99 9? 25.3? ifi b .fiEElHE. RF ql iih 3,203,629 8/1965 Goddard .239/533 x Wedge Shaped grooves adiacem'the Connection Ofthe body with the fitting. Annular wedge shaped gaskets FOREIGN PATE S OR L C S may be disposed within the grooves, and the fitting 809 053 2/1959 Great Britain 239/533 may cooperate with a clamping means to transfer an 759 420 11/1953 Germany......::::::::::::: :239/533 impinging to the exterior flfmge 6961893 10/1964 Canada ..239/s33 Spray cap resPonse to a ightcmng fastenmg Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, Jr. Assistant Examiner-John J. Love Attorney-Sperry and Zoda [57] ABSTRACT portion of the overall assembly is similarly provided with an external flange which, upon assembly of the EEIIEpa ratiIs, is clamped against an engine blocl so that the external flange of the body portion and the outer surface of the engine block cooperate to impinge upon the external flange of the spray tip cap to secure the cap in an operational posture.

means of the overall clamping means.

In another independent feature of the invention, the external flange portion of the spray cap may be formed with an annular groove for receiving an O-ring seal so that a more fluid-tight connection may be formed between the protective spray tip cap and the body portion of the overall assembly.

In still another independent feature of the invention, the body may be radially split adjacent a spray tip end thereof. Through this arrangement, the valve portion of the assembly may be removed from either axial end of the body after splitting the body into its two components.

5 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures 1451' Feb. -20,1973

7.: 20 a g d: 4 I" al .2 t I i I00 I PATENTED FEB 2 0 I973 SHEET 10F 2 INVENTOR, Ham/2y 0. #50655 BY ATTORNEYS FUEL INJECTION NOZZLE ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to fuel injection nozzles for internal combustion engines, and, more particularly, relates to an improved fuel injection nozzle arrangement which is specifically designed to facilitate the removal and maintenance of a fuel injection system within an operational internal combustion engine.

Over the years, the industry has diligently endeavored to improve the design and operation of fuel injection apparatus for both spark and compression ignition engines. Today, fuel injection nozzles are compact and generally simple devices having a high degree of efficiency. One of the ever-present problems encountered by engineers in incorporating fuel injection devices within operational internal combustion engines, has been the seriously detrimental effects of high temperature cylinder gases acting upon the outlet end of a fuel injection nozzle. Also, these gases are capable of passing through an annular space defined between the fuel injection nozzle and a surrounding marginal edge of an engine borehole to cause additional heating and carbonization problems in areas outside the combustion chamber. In order to prevent the bypass of cylinder gases through the last mentioned annular space, engineers and mechanics have utilized annular seals or gaskets of conventional design which are sometimes disposed within annular recesses formed circumferentially about the tubular nozzle. These seals have consisted of materials such as copper or the like, and, in spite of the presence of such sealing devices, cylinder gas seepage or breathing often occurs through the annular space. These gases deposit a carbonaceous substance along the outer surface of the nozzle and throughout the various parts comprising the overall nozzle assembly to cause an adherence between the various sub-assemblies of the nozzle, as well as between the outer surface of the nozzle and the internal surface of the cylinder head borehole. Additionally, the hot gases acting upon the full length of the nozzle assembly tend to impart a substantial amount of heat thereto, which may then be conducted through the nozzle to associated apparatus outside the combustion area of the cylinder. The carbonaceous deposits are not confined to the smooth surface of the nozzle, but form on whatever connecting means may be utilized to mount the nozzle within the cylinder head borehole. Since the removal of a fuel injection nozzle may occur quite frequently, as the removal might normally be associated with replacement of spark plugs in a spark ignition engine, it is important that the parts for mounting the nozzle within the cylinder head borehole not become frozen together by such cylinder gas deposits. 7

One approach for shielding a length of an injection nozzle against the high temperatures of the cylinder gas, and for simultaneously preventing carbonaceous buildups along the surface of the nozzle, is to coat the nozzle with a polymer substance before installing the nozzle in an internal combustion engine. Such a provision has been found to be less than satisfactory, because there still exists an axial passage between the coated nozzle and the internal edge defining the nozzle borehole, so that carbonaceous gases may seep therethrough to the members of the apparatus provided for mounting the nozzle. Also, it has been found that the high temperature gases acting along the relatively large surface area of such a polymer coating tends to burn the coating away, which burning exposes at least a portion of the nozzle so as to render the coating ineffective to solve the heat conducting problem. Even when a gasket or a sealing device is used with such a polymer coating, it has been found that seepage will still occur so that the overall results of the composite are not satisfactory.

Therefore, freezing of fuel injection nozzle mounting apparatus, difficulty of removing fuel injection nozzles, and damage to the nozzle during maintenance and operational periods are problems which heretofore have not been solved.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved fuel injection nozzle for use in an internal combustion engine.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for preventing the breathing of cylinder gases through the annular space defined by the outer surface of a fuel injection nozzle and the inner surface of a surrounding cylinder head borehole.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for preventing carbonaceous deposits along the length of a fuel injection nozzle.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for preventing the freezing of mounting apparatus used for securing a fuel injection nozzle within a borehole formed within the head of an internal combustion engine.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an'apparatus for reducing the conduction of heat from the interior of an operating cylinder of an internal combustion engine through a fuel injection nozzle to associated apparatus outside the combustion area of the cylinder.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for shielding a fuel injection nozzle from high temperature cylinder gases using a removable nozzle spray cap which will not be burned away by the action of such hot cylinder gases.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a fuel injection nozzle assembly which is inexpensive to manufacture, to install and to maintain.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a fuel injection nozzle assembly which solves many of the problems confronting the industry today.

At least some of the above listed objects are carried out by the provision of a fuel injection nozzle assembly having a spray tip protective cap comprising a heat resistant material. The cap is structurally formed to be rigidly mounted in an operational posture in response to the normal clamping of a fuel injection nozzle within a borehole of an internal combustion engine block.

In one feature of the invention, groove means may be provided in the protective cap member to receive an O- ring seal which cooperates with the cap and a body portion of the overall assembly to provide a barrier against the passage of combustion gases along the extension of the fuel injection nozzle assembly.

In another independent feature of the invention, adjustment means is provided for varying the required fuel pressure for actuating a valve portion of the fuel injection nozzle.

In still another independent feature of the invention, the overall assembly is arranged to facilitate the removal of a rod-like valve portion of the assembly and is further structured to facilitate the removal of the overall assembly from within a borehole of an internal combustion engine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS While the specification concludes with claims which particularly point out and distinclty claim the present invention, a preferred embodiment is set forth in the following detailed description, which may be best understood when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an overall apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical, crosssectional view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, mounted in an engine block and taken along Line 2-2;

FIG. 3 is a vertical, cross-sectional view showing a body portion of the nozzle assembly shown in FIG. 2 having a protective spray tip cap according to the present invention and disposed within an engine block;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the body portion shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a vertical, sectional view of a rod-like valve portion of the overall assembly shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the valve portion shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a spring-pressure adjusting nut shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 8 is a vertical, sectional view of a gasket shown in FIG. 2, which may be used in combination with the overall assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the gasket shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the spray tip cap of the present invention; and

FIGS. 11 and 12 show a split body feature of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout the various views thereof, FIGS. 1 and 2 show the overall assembly of the present invention mounted in an engine block 1..

A nozzle body 10 is provided, having a spray tip 12 at a first terminal end thereof. The body 10 may be of an elongated tubular configuration, having at least one fuel spray passage 14 formed in the spray tip 12 thereof. The hollow interior of the body 10 is formed with a narrow, elongated chamber 16 (see FIG. 3) defined by the cylindrical wall 18. The fuel spray passage 14 communicates the ambient adjacent the outer surface of the spray tip 12 with the internal chamber 16.

A second end 20 of the fuel injection nozzle body 10 is formed to continue the internal channel 16 of the body 10, which channel 16 is enlarged in diameter throughout the second end 20 of the body 10. An internal shoulder 22, is defined at the location where the chamber 16 changes in diameter from a smaller diameter in the first portion of the body 10 to a larger diameter throughout the second end of the body 10. The terminal-most portion of the chamber 16 adjacent the spray tip 12 of the body 10 may be of a conical configuration, the apex of which cone defines the import end of the fuel spray passage 14.

A rod-like pintle or valve member 24 is disposed within the chamber 16 and is provided with a longitudinal passage 26 for directing fuel longitudinally throughout the interior length thereof. The first end of the pintle or valve 24 may be formed with a conical shape 28 corresponding with the conical configuration 19 of the spray tip end of the chamber 16 so that an apex portion 30 of the pintle 24 normally closes the fuel spray passage 14 to fuel flow.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the diameter of the pintle 14 is greater along the major length thereof than along the spray tip portion of the first end thereof. The reduced diameter at the first end of the pintle 24 defines an annular shoulder portion 32 on the pintle 24. The internal fuel passage 26 branches into a plurality of outlets communicating the internal passage 24 of the pintle with the chamber 16 at a point adjacent the shoulder portion 32 of the pintle. With this configuration, pressurized fuel traveling through the fuel passage 26 and out through the branch passageways 34, cause a buildup of pressure in the space defined by the annular shoulder 32 of the pintle and the surface defining the conical end 19 of the chamber 16. The effect of this pressure buildup is to urge the pintle apex 30 away from the fuel spray passageway 14, so as to permit the pressurized fuel flow through the passageway 14 and to be sprayed into a surrounding internal combustion engine chamber.

A second end 35 of the pintle 24 is provided with a necked-down portion 36 having a generally radially extending fuel passageway 38 communicating the chamber 16 with the internal passageway 26 of the pintle 24.

The body 10 is formed with a radially extending fuel inlet passage 61 disposed adjacent the necked-down portion 36 of the pintle, which passageway 61 operates as the main fuel inlet passageway for providing pressurized fuel to the chamber 16. The fuel passing through the inlet passageway 61 passes along the external surface 40 of the pintle to build up pressure in the annular space between the pintle shoulder 32 and the surface 19 of the chamber 16. The fuel also flows through the radial inlet passageway 38 to the interior passageway 26 to discharge from the pintle passageway 34 in order to further build up pressure in the aforementioned space. The overall effect of the fluid passing through the center of and around the pintle is to insure sufficient pressure buildup to urge the pintle 24 into a fuel spray discharge position wherein the fuel spray passageway 14 of the body 10 is opened for the dispersing of fuel into an internal combustion engine chamber.

The widened portion of the chamber 16 of the valve body 10 is operable to receive a spring 42 which may be of a helical type. The internal longitudinal passageway 26 of the rod-like pintle 24 may be formed with internal threading 44 at the second end thereof to threadedly engage with threading 46 formed on a stud 50 extending axially from a cylindrical disc 52 to fit radially within the widened portion of the chamber 16 of the body 10. Due to this configuration, the disc 52 may be easily attached to the second end of the pintle 24, which disc then operates as a pressure plate for transmitting the spring bias of the helical spring 42 to the pintle 24.

An external portion of the second end of the valve body may be formed with external threading 54, which threadedly engages with internal threading 56 of a spring pressure adjusting nut 58. In order to increase the pressure setting at which the pintle will be raised by the fuel pressure in the space defined by the shoulder 32 and the conical surface 19 of the chamber 16, an operator need only loosen or tighten the adjustment nut as desired. An additional cylindrical fitting 60 may be formed to project axially from the adjustment nut 58 and may be further formed with an axial passageway 62 for venting fuel which has seeped around the marginal edge of the pressure plate disc 52. As shown in FIG. 1, the fitting 16 may be formed with an axially extending groove across a diameter thereof for receiving the blade of a screwdriver to facilitate the adjusting of the spring pressure setting. Alternatively, the body 10 may be formed with internal grooves 57 for receiving a threaded adjustment plug (not shown).

A clamping means 64 is provided and may be disposed between the adjusting nut 58 and a fuel inlet fitting 59. The clamping means 64 may be provided with winged flanges 66 and 68, having apertures 70 and 72 formed therein for the reception of threaded fastening means which may be utilized to secure the wing flanges 66 and 68 to the outer surface of an internal combustion engine block.

The fuel inlet fitting member 59 may be provided with annular, V-shaped grooves 74 for the reception of annular wedge-shaped gaskets 76, shown in detail in FIGS. 8 and 9. The fuel inlet fitting 59 is provided with a fuel passage defining projection 78 extending radially from the valve body 10 and formed with external threads 80 thereon. A radially extending flange-like projection 82 may be formed externally on the projection 78 of the inlet fitting to operate as a stop when a pressurized fuel supplying conduit is threadedly engaged on the external threads 80 of the radially extending projection 78 of the inlet fuel fitting 59. The terminal free end of the projection 78 defines a bowlshaped recess 84, which facilitates the passage of pressurized fuel from a pressurized fuel supply conduit (not shown) to the passageway 61 of the fuel inlet fitting. The fuel inlet fitting may be threadedly mounted on the body 10 to facilitate the removal thereof.

An additional conduit, e.g., a rubber hose, may be placed over the fitting 60 of the adjustment nut 58 in order to direct fuel leakage away from the second end of the fuel nozzle. Circumferentially extending grooves 61 and 63 may be provided to insure a good connection between the rubber conduit (not shown) and the fitting 60.

An external flange 100 is formed on the body 10 to extend radially therefrom intermediate the terminal ends thereof. A spray tip protective cap 102 is fit over the spray tip end of the nozzle body 10 to protect the nozzle tip against the extreme heat and the adhering ingredients of the combustion chamber gases. The cap 102 is, itself, formed with an external flange 104 extending radially therefrom. The spray tip end of the protective cap 102 is formed with an arcuately extending inwardly and axially outwardly extending annular surface 103 corresponding to the immediately adjacent surface of the spray tip 12. The marginal edges 106 of the protective cap 102 are tapered to present a knife edge and to define a central aperture for the passage of fuel spray therethrough. Due to the knife edge feature of the marginal edge 106, the profile of the overall fuel injection nozzle assembly tip is of a smooth configuration which prevents buildup of carbonaceous deposits.

In order to install a fuel injection nozzle according to the present invention, the wing-like flanges 66 and 68 of the clamping means 64 are secured to the outside of an internal combustion engine block by threaded fastening means and the spray tip portion of the overall assembly is inserted through a borehole formed in the engine block. The diameter of the protective cap 102 is sized to be small enough to fit into any standard engine block borehole, and the radially extending flange 104 is sized to extend radially far enough to be larger than any standard engine block borehole used for mounting fuel injection nozzles. The body 10, having the fuel inlet fitting 60, the clamping means 64, and the adjustment nut 58 attached thereto, as well as the pintle 24 and the spring 42 retained therein, are inserted into the protective spray cap 102 and the entire assembly is inserted within an engine block borehole (not shown) formed for receiving a fuel injection nozzle.

As the clamping means 64 is secured and tightened with respect to the engine block, the flange of the body 10 and the outer surface of the engine block (not shown) impinges upon the radially extending flange 104 of the protective cap 102, so as to hold the protective cap 102 rigidly in an operational posture. The resilient nature of the tapered marginal portions 106 of the spray cap tip are such as to conform to the tip-most portion 12 of the valve body. The radial extension of the flange 104 is such as to completely close any space defined between the nozzle and the marginal edges of the engine block defining the borehole.

An annular groove may be formed adjacent the flange 104 of the protective cap 102 for the reception of an O-ring seal 108. The annular groove 106, the O- ring seal 108, and the clamping cooperation of the body flange 100 with the external surface of the engine block, are operable to form an extremelyeffective seal to prevent the passage of carbonaceous gases along the longitudinal extension of the injection nozzle. If any gases should seep in between the internal surface of the protective cap 102 and the external surface of the body 10, the O-ring seal 106 is effective to prevent the gases from seeping past the flange portions of the cap and body 10.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION FIGS. 11 and 12 show an alternative embodiment which further facilitates the removal of the pintle 24 from within the body 10.

As can be seen, the body 10 is radially split to form two components 10' and 10". The surfaces 3 and 5, defining the split, may be flat or may be formed with tongue and groove means for preventing the relative radial displacement of surface 3 with respect to surface 5. Of course, the apex 30 of the pintle 24 and the central position of the spray tip cap aperture defined by the marginal edge 106 thereof, operate to maintain the proper radial alignment of the body components 10 and 10' during the operation of the assembly.

In order to remove the pintle 24 from within the body 10, the clamping apparatus is dismounted and the assembly withdrawn from the borehole. When the supporting effect of the spray tip cap 110 is removed from the lower body component 10", the component 10" will fall away from the remaining portion of the body -10. Upon the removal of the adjusting nut 58 (or internal plug within threads 57) and upon further removal of the spring 42, the pintle-like valve 24 may be withdrawn from within the valve body 10 from either axial end thereof. This then is a primary advantage of the present invention.

OTHER ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION It can, therefore, be seen that an improved fuel injection nozzle has been herein provided which is easier to install and maintain than heretofore possible. In order to remove the entire fuel nozzle assembly from within an engine block, one merely need remove the threaded fastening means (not shown) from within the threaded apertures 70 and 72 of the winged flanges 66 and 68 of the clamping means 64. Upon removing these fastening means, the entire body 10 and the various fittings attached thereto, may be removed from within the protective spray cap 102 if the cap should be temporarily frozen in the borehole. Ordinarily, the removing of the body 10 also permits the removal of the protective spray cap 102. If it is desired to remove the pintle valve member 24, the spring adjusting nut 58 may be threadedly disengaged from the external threads 54 of the second end of the nozzle body 10. Upon the removal of the nut 58, the spring 42 may be removed and the pintle 24 may likewise be removed. In this manner, the pintle may be repaired or replaced without removing the overall assembly.

The spring pressure adjusting feature provided by the adjusting nut 58 permits one to vary the fuel pressure at which the fuel injection nozzle operates, merely by a twist of a screwdriver properly placed within the screwdriver recess 65 of the fitting 60.

The protective spray cap 102 prevents the accumulation of carbonaceous deposits on the nozzle and further may act as somewhat of a heat shield in preventing heat from being conducted from the nozzle through the borehole of the engine block and into the associated apparatus outside the engine block. The radially extending flange 104 of the protective spray cap 102 is of such a diameter to make the protective spray cap universally adpatable to a variety of engine block borehole sizes. Likewise, the arcuate nature of the spray tip terminal end of the protective spray cap is adaptable to fit any radius of spray tip and a tight fit is insured between the knife edges 106 of the spray cap 102 and the spray tip of the nozzle body 10. This fit is insured despite the fact that there may be a space 110 6 defined between the outer surface of the valve body 10 and the inner surface of the protective spray cap 102.

Therefore, a nozzle body of virtually any diameter may be used in cooperation with the protective spray cap 102 so long as the radial flange of the valve body 10 overlaps a portion of the radial flange 104 of the protective spray cap 102.

The radially extending flanges 104 and 100 of the protective spray cap and the nozzle body, respectively, provide a gas barrier which effectively prevents the passage of carbonaceous combustion gases along the length of the nozzle and into the associated apparatus located externally of the engine block.

Likewise, the O-ring seal 108 disposed within the annular groove 106 of the radial flange 104 of the protective spray cap 102 and cooperating with one surface of the radial flange 100 of the nozzle body 10, insures that carbonaceous combustion gases will not pass between the nozzle body and the protective spray cap. Similarly, the marginal knife edge 106 of the spray tip portion of the protective spray cap 102 further reduces the likelihood of carbonaceous gas seeping between the nozzle body 10 and the protective spray cap 102.

Therefore, the assembly specified herein comprises a new combination of elements which cooperate in a synergistic manner to produce a new resulting function.

SCOPE OF THE INVENTION While what has been described herein is a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is, of course, understood that various modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the present invention. It is, therefore, intended to cover in the following claims all such modifications and changes as may fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

I claim 1. In apparatus; wherein, a fuel injection nozzle presents an elongated body having a spray tip disposed at a first terminal end thereof; wherein, the body is mountable to project through an opening formed in an. engine block with the spray tip operationally disposed with respect to an engine cylinder; and, wherein, a protective spray tip cap is operationally disposed over the portion of the nozzle extending through the engine block opening, the improvement comprising:

said protective spray tip cap being slideably mounted within the opening of the engine block;

said nozzle slideably disposed within said slideably mounted protective spray tip cap;

said protective spray tip cap being formed with a generally radially extending portion;

said nozzle being formed with a generally radially extending portion; and

said protective spray tip cap being held in an operational posture with respect to the engine block by the impingement of said generally radially extending portion of said nozzle against said generally radially extending portion of said protective spray tip cap, solely in response to the urging of said nozzle toward the engine block while said nozzle is operationally mounted in the opening defined in the engine block.

2. The improvement according to claim No. 1, wherein:

a first terminal end of said protective spray cap is formed with a second radially extending surface;

3. The improvement according to claim No. 2,

wherein said second radially extending surface of said spray tip cap is formed with a generally accurately extending cross-sectional configuration.

4. The improvement according to claim No. 1 wherein:

said nozzle is split into at least two components; and

said protective spray cap is operable to hold said at least two components of said nozzle in operational alignment in response to the insertion of said nozzle into said spray cap and the urging of said nozzle toward the engine block, solely in response to the normal mounting of said nozzle in the engine.

block. 5. The improvement according to claim No. 4, wherein:

said nozzle is of an elongated configuration; and said nozzle is split along a line extending generally transversely of the longitudinal extension thereof. 

1. In apparatus; wherein, a fuel injection nozzle presents an elongated body having a spray tip disposed at a first terminal end thereof; wherein, the body is mountable to project through an opening formed in an engine block with the spray tip operationally disposed with respect to an engine cylinder; and, wherein, a protective spray tip cap is operationally disposed over the portion of the nozzle extending Through the engine block opening, the improvement comprising: said protective spray tip cap being slideably mounted within the opening of the engine block; said nozzle slideably disposed within said slideably mounted protective spray tip cap; said protective spray tip cap being formed with a generally radially extending portion; said nozzle being formed with a generally radially extending portion; and said protective spray tip cap being held in an operational posture with respect to the engine block by the impingement of said generally radially extending portion of said nozzle against said generally radially extending portion of said protective spray tip cap, solely in response to the urging of said nozzle toward the engine block while said nozzle is operationally mounted in the opening defined in the engine block.
 1. In apparatus; wherein, a fuel injection nozzle presents an elongated body having a spray tip disposed at a first terminal end thereof; wherein, the body is mountable to project through an opening formed in an engine block with the spray tip operationally disposed with respect to an engine cylinder; and, wherein, a protective spray tip cap is operationally disposed over the portion of the nozzle extending Through the engine block opening, the improvement comprising: said protective spray tip cap being slideably mounted within the opening of the engine block; said nozzle slideably disposed within said slideably mounted protective spray tip cap; said protective spray tip cap being formed with a generally radially extending portion; said nozzle being formed with a generally radially extending portion; and said protective spray tip cap being held in an operational posture with respect to the engine block by the impingement of said generally radially extending portion of said nozzle against said generally radially extending portion of said protective spray tip cap, solely in response to the urging of said nozzle toward the engine block while said nozzle is operationally mounted in the opening defined in the engine block.
 2. The improvement according to claim No. 1, wherein: a first terminal end of said protective spray cap is formed with a second radially extending surface; said second radially extending surface of said protective spray cap being formed with a marginal edge to define an aperture disposed generally centrally thereof; said aperture being sized to receive a terminal, spray tip portion of said nozzle; and said second radially extending surface of said protective spray tip cap being formed to fit flush with a corresponding surface portion of said nozzle.
 3. The improvement according to claim No. 2, wherein said second radially extending surface of said spray tip cap is formed with a generally accurately extending cross-sectional configuration.
 4. The improvement according to claim No. 1 wherein: said nozzle is split into at least two components; and said protective spray cap is operable to hold said at least two components of said nozzle in operational alignment in response to the insertion of said nozzle into said spray cap and the urging of said nozzle toward the engine block, solely in response to the normal mounting of said nozzle in the engine block. 